(01/18/11 5:00am)
Dean of Arts and Sciences Adam Jaffe announced at the Dec. 2 Arts and Sciences Chairs meeting that he will be looking for volunteers to work with him and the Faculty Workload Committee to review the merit of faculty contributions using hypothetical cases, a plan of action based on the findings of a May 2010 Faculty Workload Committee report. The hypothetical cases would examine the merit of intervention by University administration that could potentially increase faculty contributions. Jaffe said he plans to report back to the Arts and Sciences Chairs about the composite hypothetical cases in February or March. In May 2010, the Arts and Sciences Faculty Workload Committee released a report that reviewed the contributions of faculty members in the School of Arts and Sciences to the established missions of Brandeis University. The Faculty Workload Committee report reviewed the "overall parameters governing what constitutes full-time work for an Arts and Sciences faculty member," according to the report.A complete workload for a faculty member is based on three dimensions: service, teaching and research or creative work.Teaching includes a suggested minimum annual enrollment of 40 students, office hours and responsiveness to students. Service is defined by departmental service obligations and student advising among other commitments. The third aspect is that "all tenured and tenure-track faculty are expected to engage in scholarship/research or creative work," according to the report."Expectations with respect to scholarship/research or creative work will vary by discipline," stated the report. The report recommended that the University intervene to adjust the workload of those faculty who fail to make adequate contributions to the University. Faculty members who do not contribute enough to the University can be assigned additional teaching, advising and service assignments, stated the report. If the faculty do not meet the expected levels of contributions in the area of research and do not take on additional teaching or service, they may be subject to a salary reduction. The report concluded that "for the foreseeable future, the increase in enrollments and limitations on faculty hiring will inevitably increase the overall burdens borne by the faculty in terms of teaching and service, especially advising." Prior to the May report, a February 2010 Faculty Workload Committee report proposed a new merit review process, which was not ultimately implemented. According to the report, "It was decided not to try to implement the new process this year, but rather to experiment first with modifications of the existing system."The report defined contributions as helping to advance to the University's missions in the areas of scholarship or creative work, teaching and service. The February report recommended that the University follow "a formal procedure by which all tenured faculty members in Arts and Sciences will report on their recent contributions to the university and their plans for the near future, which is updated and reviewed every 5 years." The May report essentially voided the findings of the February report."Implementation of a once-in-five-years reporting mechanism for tenured faculty that we recommended in our earlier memorandum has been suspended in favor of expanding the existing annual faculty activity's report," stated the May report.
(01/18/11 5:00am)
A study conducted by the Steinhardt Social Research Institute at Brandeis found that there are now 6.5 million Jews in the United States, which is 20 percent more than previously thought. Klutznick Professor of Contemporary Jewish Studies Leonard Saxe (Heller), the lead researcher of the study, presented the findings last December at the Association for Jewish Studies conference in Boston.The new study employed a new paradigm that increased researchers' ability to accurately study and measure small groups by aggregating more than 150 national surveys conducted by the United States government and independent institutions that asked about religious identity. The findings contradict previous estimates by the 2000-2001 National Jewish Population Survey, which noted a negative trend in Jewish population growth. In a Dec. 27, 2010 op-ed published in The Jerusalem Post, Saxe wrote, "Concern about shrinking U.S. Jewish community has been fueled, in part, by socio-demographic studies. But, as has been suspected for some time, many of the key studies dramatically underestimated the Jewish population." The National Jewish Population Survey consisted of surveys and interviews that were administered to thousands of Jews and non-Jews, according to the Jewish Virtual Library. In an interview with the Justice, Saxe noted his study signifies that the Jewish community should no longer be seen as a "melting ice cube," and the narrative of the Jewish community can change to reflect the growth of American Jewry. One challenge of calculating the number of American Jews, Saxe explained, is that Jews define themselves in a variety of ways. Therefore, it is difficult to understand the Jewish community only by asking individuals whether they are Jewish. Another part of the study additionally examined the involvement of American Jews in the Jewish community. Saxe conducted a survey of 1,400 Jews and used that data to estimate that about 82 percent of Jews see themselves as Jewish by religion, while others identify as Jews for other reasons, such as culture. Saxe, however, noted that this means that Jewish institutions like synagogues are even less successful than previously thought because they are attracting an even smaller percentage of the Jewish population. Additionally, over half of those who identify as Jewish by religion do not belong to a synagogue, and the vast majority of Jews have limited to no understanding of the Hebrew language. "The problem isn't the rejection of Jewish identity; the problem is the lack of the number of meaningful experiences for people to be involved in," said Saxe. Saxe pointed to the potential for programs such as Taglit-Birthright to engage young Jews with their Judaism and the State of Israel.A 2009 study conducted by the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies concluded that Birthright alumni are more likely to become members of a synagogue and give their children a Jewish upbringing than Jews who have not taken part in the program. At a January 2011 Birthright event, Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu promised to double Israel's investment in Birthright, reported The Post. "My government will give more than double its investment in Birthright and over the next few years, we will invest more than $100 million in Birthright," said Netanyahu, according to the Post.
(12/07/10 5:00am)
The Faculty Senate announced Nov. 30 that in cooperation with the Library and Technology Services Advisory Committee, it will sponsor a series of lectures and community discussions on "the Future of the Library," according to a campuswide e-mail sent by Prof Tim Hickey (COSI), chair of the Faculty Senate. The goal of the lecture series is to generate a discussion of ideas in order to address changes facing the Goldfarb library and to create an improved strategic plan for the library's future, said Hickey in an interview with the Justice. In August, LTS extended Goldfarb's hours until 2 a.m. in all areas of the library, after budgetary concerns the previous year led to only the Farber Green Room being open until 2 a.m. At the time, the LTS Advisory Committee found that the added benefit of study time for students outweighed the costs of operating the library according to an Aug. 24 Justice article. The lecture and discussion series began as a result of challenges encountered by the university library, including higher library operating costs, a lower library budget, a question of creating an open-access repository where professors can make their work available to the public for free and other issues that students, faculty and administrators wish to discuss at the lecture series, explained Hickey.The "Future of the Library" lecture series is an attempt to discuss and consider the LTS strategic plan for fiscal 2010 through fiscal 2014 that was released in June 2009 and consider strategies to utilize as the library moves forward.The strategic plan identified changes in computing, changes in the world of information and economic factors as a context for the strategic plan. According to the plan, "Today, information is ubiquitous and global, not special and local. . Libraries must choose among formats, deciding between archival print formats (and their storage costs) and digital formats, which offer access 24/7/365." Additionally, it stated, "The challenge confronting institutions of higher education today is to determine the most cost-effective way of providing technology resources without compromising security of data and information or stifling creative use of new technologies."Prof. Robert Sekuler (PSYC), chair of the LTS Advisory Committee explained in an e-mail to the Justice that "the Faculty Senate's series on the Future of the Library has two main purposes: first, to educate the entire community about the possibilities and opportunities of the inevitable changes; and second, to allow various constituencies to offer informed input into the process of planning for those changes."Hickey added that LTS and the Faculty Senate recognize that undergraduate students as well as many other constituents such as faculty, graduate students and undergraduates use the library; therefore, the lecture series will try to create a discussion between the different groups. Hickey said that any decisions that are made regarding the library should be considered with student desires in mind, and these desires should be expressed if students attend the lecture series. The first event is scheduled for today and features David W. Lewis, the dean of the university Library at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, and assistant vice president of digital scholarly communications. The event is scheduled to be a 45-minute lecture about the future of the library followed by a 45-minute discussion period. Hickey said that Lewis would speak about the growing trend toward libraries' digitalization. The event will be held in the Mandel Center for the Humanities, G03 from 10 to 11:30 am. Hickey said that the plan is to hold a lecture and discussion session monthly, and this will likely continue for several years as the library continues to face new and growing challenges. There is no set completion date for this project.
(11/23/10 5:00am)
At the Nov. 21 Student Union Senate meeting, the Senate unanimously agreed to support a letter in response to the upcoming protest by the Westboro Baptist Church. Members of the church are scheduled to protest Brandeis Hillel on Dec. 3. Sahar Massachi '11 said at the meeting that he is coordinating with many student leaders to organize a day of activities that will unite the community. Events such as a fundraiser and a Harry Potter-themed Hillel dinner will focus on the theme of building a united campus. The open letter supported by the Senate said, "The soul of Brandeis is found in our common values, including the need to stand strong against hatred and bigotry. ... These values compel us to affirm our support for Hillel and all of the Brandeis family under attack from the intolerant."Union President Daniel Acheampong '11 added that the protestors from the Westboro Baptist Church will not be allowed on campus. Acheampong said he is coordinating protest efforts with the Department of Public Safety. The Senate tabled a Senate Money Resolution proposed by Off Campus Senator Evyn Rabinowitz '12 that requested $218.45 for a meet-and-greet event for students who live off campus. The senators also reported that they are busy preparing for the Midnight Buffet and selling Turkey Shuttle tickets. Senator for the Class of 2011 Michael Newborn said that he explored the possibility of having the BranVan make stops at Riverside but that this will not be possible at the moment because of BranVan contract issues. Additionally, Newborn met with Rabbi Levy Zirkind, the Supervisor of Kashrut, and was informed that Einstein Bros. Bagels cannot receive kosher certification because the Asiago bagel that the store is contractually obligated to sell is not kosher.
(11/16/10 5:00am)
Correction appendedThe United States Supreme Court has recently chosen to hear Stanford v. Roche, a case which concerns patent ownership of federally funded research at universities. On April 26, Brandeis University, along with the Association of American Universities and approximately 50 additional universities filed an amicus brief petitioning the Supreme Court to hear the case. According to Senior Vice President and General Counsel Judith Sizer, the case resulted from a situation in 2005 in which Stanford University sued Roche Molecular Systems, Inc. for patent infringement regarding methods of evaluating the efficacy of anti-HIV therapies, which Stanford University post-doctoral fellow Mark Holodniy developed with funding from the federal government. In response, Roche claimed that Stanford did not have full title to the patents because the Stanford faculty inventor had signed a visitor confidentiality agreement while using a Roche lab, which gave Roche ownership of any invention from subsequent research at the lab. Stanford claimed, however, that the involvement of federal funds provided the University with ownership to the patent because of the Bayh-Dole Act, legislation that gives universities the right to assume ownership of federally funded research. The district court ruled in favor of Stanford, but Roche appealed the decision, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit overturned the district court. In response, Stanford petitioned the Supreme Court to hear the case and three amicus briefs, including the one filed by Brandeis. On Nov. 1, the United States Supreme Court decided to grant a writ of certiorari to the case, meaning the court will review it and hear oral arguments. The law firm Ropes and Gray LLP filed the amicus brief on behalf of Brandeis, the Association of American Universities and many other universities. In an alert sent out Nov. 1, the firm explained that "The proper interpretation of the Bayh-Dole Act is the central question at issue in Stanford v. Roche." Sizer explained that Congress passed the Bayh-Dole Act in 1980 in an attempt to clarify ownership of research conducted at universities and give universities ownership of their research that is funded by the federal government. Director of the University's Office of Technology Licensing Irene Abrams explained in an interview with the Justice that if there is clear ownership of a product, investors are more likely to invest in it."If university ownership as mentioned under Bayh-Dole is second to inventors or professors assigning to any third party, then it weakens the law and it weakens the ability to commercialize technology," said Abrams. Abrams also noted that Brandeis has benefited from the Bayh-Dole Act with patents on products such as Smart Balance, developed by lipid expert Prof. K. C. Hayes (BIOL) and research scientist Dan Perlman (BIOL). Abrams added that Brandeis receives most of its research funding from the federal government. According to a Nov. 4 BrandeisNOW press release, the University has nearly 300 active patents and 53 active license agreements."The Act provides for the disposition of rights in a predictable and reliable way that allows universities and other nonprofit institutions to acquire clear title and license the inventions for development while at the same time reserving important rights for the federal government" said the amicus brief. An amicus brief is a legal brief filed by a "friend" of the court, meaning that the party filing the brief is not a party to the case but it has a significant interest in the outcome of the case. Abrams said that if the Federal Circuit court decision stands, this case could create a problem for the University. "The concern is that it will put a chill over investment in early stage research which is an issue for Brandeis as a university" she said. Sizer also warned that the ruling by the Federal Circuit court essentially overturns the Bayh-Dole Act and could threaten the legality of 30 years worth of patents that universities hold as well as the ability to attract investors to university research. Sizer said that oral arguments will likely be held in March 2011, and she was unsure whether Brandeis and the Association of American Colleges would file another amicus brief in order to support Stanford University's position.Correction: The article originally stated incorrectly that the Supreme Court chose to hear the amicus brief filed by the universities. In fact, the court only chose to hear Stanford v. Roche, the case associated with the amicus brief.
(11/09/10 5:00am)
Irving Roth, a Holocaust survivor and the director of the Holocaust Resource Center at the Temple Judea of Manhasset, N.Y., addressed Brandeis community members in the Rapaporte Treasure Hall last Thursday about the lessons one can learn from his experiences during the Holocaust.Brandeis Israel Public Affairs Committee, Brandeis Zionist Alliance, Hillel, Brandeis Interfaith Group, Holocaust Remembrance Week, the Interfaith Chaplaincy and the Brandeis Krav Maga Club co-sponsored the event.In his presentation, Roth said he was born in Czechoslovakia in 1929 and by 1939 he began experiencing anti-Semitism on a frequent basis. Three personal stories, he said, show the effects Nazi propaganda and doctrine had on his life.In the summer of 1939, Roth said he was shocked when he walked to a park with his friends and found a large sign in front of the park that read, "Jews and dogs are forbidden to enter." Roth said that was when he began to understand that he was different from the other non-Jewish children. Also in 1939, Roth said he was forced to obey a curfew imposed on Jews and he had to wear a yellow star so that others could identify him as a Jew. "They want[ed] to take away my identity as an individual," said Roth of the anti-Semitic policies.In 1940, conditions for Jews in eastern Europe continued to worsen, Roth said, as Jews were fired from government positions and were no longer allowed to own businesses. About 1,800 of the 2,000 Jews who lived in Roth's town were deported; however, Roth and his family were able to evade deportation. Roth said that of the 300 Jewish school children that had lived in the town, only 11 remained after the deportation. Roth and his family thus decided to flee Czechoslovakia and move to Hungary. In 1944, however, the Hungarian government decided to deport its Jewish population via cattle cars to Auschwitz, an extermination camp operated by the Nazis. At Auschwitz, the Jews were sorted; Roth and his brother were sent to the left to work and they were stripped, shaven and numbered with a tattoo; Roth's grandparents, aunt and cousin were sent to the gas chambers and crematoria. Roth remained in Auschwitz until January 1945, but he said that when the Russian Army began to close in on the camp, the Jews were forced to go on a 3-day death march and were then transported by train to Buchenwald, a Nazi-operated concentration camp. In Buchenwald, the Nazis took Roth's brother away. Two American soldiers liberated Roth on April 11, 1945. At that point in the talk, Roth transitioned from his story of survival to the modern state of Israel. He said that with the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, the Jews finally found a homeland where they could be safe from persecution. He commented that had there been a state of Israel in the early 1940s, he might never have experienced the horrors of Auschwitz. Roth also noted, however, that anti-Semitism continues in the world today and demonization of the Jews occurs in the form of delegitimization of the state of Israel. "Demonization of the Jew has been repackaged from anti-Semitism to anti-Zionism. . the problem is, simply, Jews want to live," said Roth. After the event, Brian Reeves '11, president of the Brandeis chapter of J Street U, a "pro-Israel, pro-peace" American advocacy group said in an interview with the Justice, "I was a little dismayed how he transitioned into Israel, but I was glad he answered about Israelis and Palestinians sharing Jerusalem."Sarah Geller '13, president of BIPAC, said in an interview with the Justice, "[Roth] was an incredible speaker who really conveyed his message and how this can never happen again, and not just to Jews-just to anyone around the world.
(11/02/10 4:00am)
The Mandel Center for the Humanities and the Mandel Humanities Quad, made possible by a $22.5 million grant from the Mandel Foundation, opened for use by students and faculty this semester and were officially dedicated on Tuesday Oct. 26. Morton Mandel, whose foundation gave the grant that supported the construction of the Mandel Center, addressed a standing-room only- crowd of Brandeis trustees, faculty members, students and benefactors, at the dedication ceremony after describing the building as "awesome."The Mandel Foundation, founded by Morton Mandel and his brothers, Joseph and Jack, gave the University a grant of $22.5 million to build the Mandel Center. University President Jehuda Reinharz noted that this is the largest grant ever given by the Mandel Foundation and it is among the largest gifts ever given to support the humanities in the United States. Mandel called the building " a thing of beauty beyond being a facility; [it is] a tool that will improve education on this campus." Mandel said he was blown away when he had lunch with about a dozen humanities faculty members who told him that the building made them more able to interact with one another. Mandel added that it was a "wonderful, pleasant surprise" to learn that the Mandel Center for the Humanities had a deep impact on the faculty."The notion that in this building [the faculty] will practice their craft more effectively, to me, was almost overwhelming" he said. Mandel added that the building surpassed his expectations and the Mandel Center "is a lot more than being able to make a grant and doing good things. [...] It is about changing the world."Mandel's wife, Barbara, a Brandeis trustee, thanked all those who worked on the project and said it feels much better to give than receive. She said she will not forget all the kind remarks of faculty and students who have been positively affected by the new building. Prior to the construction of the Mandel Center, the Mandel family had "generously supported Brandeis through the establishment of the Mandel Center for Studies in Jewish Education, the Mandel Chair in Jewish Education, the Barbara and Morton Mandel Endowed Graduate Fellowship in the Humanities, and the Barbara and Morton Mandel Endowed Graduate Fellowship in English and American Literature" according to the dedication pamphlet. Reinharz praised the Mandel Family and said the University has been extremely "fortunate to have Mort and Barbra Mandel's passion, support, care, and commitment, over many years as partners in many projects" Reinharz added, "The Mandel brothers invest in people, people who have the value, ability and passion to change the world."Reinharz will become president of the Mandel Foundation after he steps down as president at the end of the calendar year. The Mandel Foundation helps provide outstanding leadership for nonprofit institutions. According to its website, "The Foundation supports leadership education programs in its own institutions and at selected universities and organizations."Reinharz noted the significance of the new building for the humanities, explaining that the humanities are struggling "disproportionately" because both students and monetary support are being drawn away from the humanities. He further described that a "combination of social and demographic trends, economic factors and changing job markets have attracted a growing number of undergraduate students to fields other than the humanities.""Without the study of the humanities, our own humanity is diminished," said Reinharz. "The Mandel Center is a clear message to everyone that the humanities are important here at Brandeis, that architecture is important at Brandeis, and beauty is important at Brandeis. These are values that the Mandels share with us." Henry Putnam University Professor of History at Princeton University Anthony Grafton was the keynote speaker at the dedication ceremony. His talk was titles "Readers and Books of Renaissance Europe."In her introduction of Grafton, Prof. Ramie Targoff (ENG), director of the Mandel Center, said Grafton was the perfect person to launch the center for the humanities because of his "ability to combine his vast knowledge of a world long gone with questions and concerns that occupy us today."Faculty, administrators, trustees and students expressed enthusiasm and delight with the new Mandel Center. Trustee Daniel Jick '79 said in an interview with the Justice after the event, "I thought it was spectacular." He added it is fortunate to have a donor who "appreciates the impact [the Mandel Center] will have on students, [and] on faculty."Heddy Ben-Atar '11, senior representative to the Board of Trustees, said of the Mandel Center, in an interview with the Justice, "It puts Brandeis at the forefront of higher education by showing our dedication to kinds of things other schools are neglecting, including the humanities."Targoff, in an interview with the Justice after the event, said of the building, "We are all really, really grateful for this building. It has changed honestly the way we interact with each other as colleagues and it has brought a really new enthusiasm to the campus." Targoff added praise of the Mandel family. She said, "Just hearing Mort Mandel, who is so committed to both a change in the world and in a smaller way, the way we do our work at Brandeis-I think it is going to have a real effect on our attitudes toward the University, towards this building, and makes me want to do more for the community.
(11/02/10 4:00am)
Brandeis received an overall grade of a B on the 2011 College Sustainability Report Card released Oct. 27. The Sustainable Endowments Institute, a nonprofit institution that works to advance sustainability on college campuses and in college investment practices, conducted the report.The Sustainability Report Card is an independent report that, according to its website, evaluates the "sustainability in campus operations and endowment" for over 300 colleges in the United States and Canada through the use of surveys and public data. Brandeis' overall grade remained the same from 2010 to 2011.The Green Report Card grade is based on nine main components: administration, climate change and energy, food and recycling, green building, student involvement, transportation, endowment transparency, investment priorities, and shareholder engagement, according to the Green Report Card website.Brandeis received an A in Climate Change and Energy, Student Involvement and Investment Priorities; a B in administration, food and recycling, Green Building and transportation; and a C in endowment transparency and shareholder engagement. The report stated for climate change and energy that "the University has committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15 percent from 2008 levels by 2015." The report also noted that the University encourages energy conservation and has installed new technologies and renewable energy sources on campus. Student involvement also received an A, and Brandeis was praised for student participation in energy conservation and waste reduction competitions and students such as Students for Environmental Action and the Student Union that offers 'DeisBikes and other sustainability-minded programs.In an e-mail to the Justice, SEA President Hannah Saltman '12 wrote, "The fact that we received an A in Student Involvement recognizes our student body's high level of commitment in driving environmental initiatives on campus." Saltman attributed the grade to the various initiatives that members of SEA have helped to create such as the Brandeis Sustainability Fund, "which provides grant funding to students to implement their own sustainability projects on campus" and their partnership with Students for a Just and Stable Future, which is lobbying the Massachusetts state legislature to run on 100-percent clean electricity by 2020. Janna Cohen-Rosenthal '03, the Brandeis Sustainability Coordinator, said in an interview with the Justice, "I am proud that we have the A in Student Involvement and I am proud that we have an A in Climate Change and energy. . We are definitely open to doing more things, and our climate change action plan has a lot more room to do more things and implement them."The University received its lowest grade of a C on endowment transparency and shareholder engagement. The Brandeis University Office of Investment Management did not respond to a request for comment by press time.Emily Flynn, a research fellow at the Sustainable Endowments Institute, said in an e-mail to the Justice that endowment practices are a large part of the Green Report Card because "endowment investment decisions are a direct expression of a universities" financial values and priorities." Therefore, she said, universities should "prioritize social and environmental funds, like renewable energy and community loan funds."Flynn also noted that the universities surveyed for the Green Report Card have "a cumulative $325 billion in endowment assets," and thus, "that money can be hugely influential in improving campus operations.Flynn said that Brandeis can improve its grade on the Endowment Transparency section of the Green Report Card by "making endowment information easily accessible to the general public, for example, through an online public website or available at a campus office." Cohen-Rosenthal criticized the Green Report Card for being confusing, subjective, unclear and not helpful when the University looks for ways to improve sustainability on campus.She said, "It is a great tool for working on endowment issues . clearly their priority and their focus is on endowments." She said, however, that the Green Report Card is too simplistic because it does not take into account the complexity of the issues beyond endowment transparency. Cohen-Rosenthal said that in part due to the simplicity of the Green Report Card, she has registered the university for the Sustainability Tracking Assessment and Rating System. STARS "is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to gauge relative progress toward sustainability," according to its website. STARS is a program of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, an association of colleges and universities that helps to educate and promote sustainable practices on campuses. Cohen-Rosenthal said that STARS would help identify new methods of improving campus sustainability, particularly in the realm of Climate Change and Energy. She added that the STARS definition of sustainability is "super broad" and will encompass a broader range of campus sustainability efforts. For example, STARS will take into account educational offerings and other aspects that the Green Report Card does not.Cohen-Rosenthal and students are currently compiling the data they hope to have online in January.
(10/26/10 4:00am)
Hedy Epstein, a political activist and refugee from Nazi Germany, addressed Brandeis students and community members last Thursday about her experience focusing on Palestine solidarity work in the West Bank, where she has visited several times since 2003. Jewish Voice for Peace; Students for Justice in Palestine; and the Peace, Conflict and Coexistence Studies program sponsored the event. Epstein said she was born in Germany in 1924 to Jewish, anti-Zionist parents and fled Germany on a kindertransport, a transport of Jewish children designed to prevent them from encountering Nazi persecution, to England before World War II began. She said because of her parents' influence, she too was an anti-Zionist. Much of her family perished at Auschwitz, a concentration camp, during the Holocaust. Epstein said that her first visit to the West Bank occurred in December 2003, when she and several friends traveled there for the first time. While in the West Bank, Epstein said she participated in many "nonviolent protests" against the Israeli military and its occupation of the West Bank. She cited one example in which she marched with Palestinians and Israelis to protest the security barrier that was constructed by Israel, and said that Israeli soldiers fired on the group and wounded an Israeli citizen and other protesters. Epstein said, "The demonstrations are always peaceful on the part of the Palestinians, the Israelis and the internationals. The violence is always on the part of the Israeli soldiers." Epstein also criticized the Israeli military checkpoints, which are imposed on people entering and exiting the West Bank. She reported that at one checkpoint, for example, she once saw an Israeli soldier use his gun to bang on the casts a young boy was wearing on both his legs and one of his arms. Epstein said she told the soldier to stop and the soldier replied, "Shut up." The soldier offended Epstein and she told the room of Brandeis students, "Maybe if I had been his peer, it [saying "Shut up"] would have been semi-appropriate, but even then it wouldn't have been, I think." When asked by a student during a question-and-answer session why she thinks Israel instituted a blockade of Gaza, Epstein said of the Israeli government, "I think sometimes I have the feeling they must sit up at night and figure out what can we do to hurt and to harm and to restrict freedoms for the Palestinians, because they keep on coming up with new ideas [of] how they can restrict the livelihood of the Palestinians."Epstein announced that another flotilla with contingents from many different countries is being planned for March 2011. She plans to be aboard a U.S. boat to Gaza. Concerning the right for a Jewish state to exist, she said, "I am not fighting what exists and has existed since 1948. But it needs to be a different kind of a state. It needs to be a state where all people living in that state have equal rights." Epstein was asked to explain her view of Hamas, an Islamic militant group that won elections in Gaza in 2006. Epstein said, "Hamas was democratically elected with international supervision, so they have the right to have whatever they have. I have to recognize it; whether I like it or don't like it doesn't matter." Regarding the fact that Hamas has been deemed by some to be a terrorist organization, she said, "That has been arbitrarily decided by the United States and Israel."With regards to U.S. President Barack Obama's role in the peace talks, Epstein recommended that Obama remember his once "very close relationship with Edward Said." Said was a Palestinian American political activist who supported the Palestinian cause and advocated for Palestinian statehood. Epstein stated that Obama should consider Said's opinions when dealing with the Middle East. Prof. Gordon Fellman (SOC), chair of the Peace, Conflict and Coexistence Studies program said in an interview with the Justice after the event that he was willing to sponsor the event because he was convinced that Epstein acknowledged the national aspirations of both the Palestinians and the Israelis.Fellman asserted that students entered the event with set beliefs and were not willing to learn anything new. He said, "I thought it was a classic frozen format. . Part of what is sad about this as a university is that there is very little learning going on, there is very little listening going on." Sarah Geller '13, president of Brandeis Israel Public Affairs Committee, said, "I think she is very one-sided and does not understand the whole context of the situation. . For a lot of the scenarios that she presented, there is definitely another valid side."Elisha Baskin (GRAD) said, "I think that she is a very brave woman to be both Jewish and have a background, her family background, and being a Holocaust survivor, to be able to speak this voice is just incredible that she has the courage and the time to talk to people about it."Lev Hirschhorn '11, co-founder of Jewish Voice for Peace, noted, "Hedy is an activist and she stated her opinions-what she saw and what she felt- and people listened, and I think that is what matters.
(10/12/10 4:00am)
Rabbi Avi Weiss, founder and president of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, the Modern and Open Orthodox Rabbinical School in New York, and the senior Rabbi of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, discussed the spiritual challenges associated with the future of Modern Orthodoxy Thursday with Brandeis students, faculty and community members.The Brandeis Orthodox Organization, Toby Kaplowitz and Rabbi Elliot Kaplowitz '02, a graduate of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, both of whom direct Hillel's learning initiative, coordinated the event, according to the Facebook event created for the talk. Weiss spoke about his vision of Modern Orthodoxy, called "Open" Orthodoxy. Modern Orthodoxy is a sect of Judaism that believes in the divine origin of the Torah and that sees Jewish law as binding. The movement also believes in the benefit of engagement with the modern world. Weiss distinguished his view of Orthodoxy because he said that he believes the Modern Orthodox movement is moving to the right. For example, the Orthodox rabbinate does not approve of women being ordained but despite this, Weiss recently ordained the first woman in American Orthodox Judaism, according to a July 11 New York Magazine article.Weiss emphasized that his vision of Orthodoxy consists of "open discussions of all kinds of issues that we do struggle with." He further explained that Open Orthodoxy serves as "a balance between wanting a Torah, wanting [Jewish law and] wanting a Judaism that is all at once rooted but not frozen." Weiss said that while Open Orthodoxy recognizes halakha, Jewish law, it also acknowledges that "as important as halakha, Jewish law, is, the law is not-if you will-the end." He said that Jewish law is a process that helps one to feel the presence of God and live a life full of Jewish values. Weiss pointed to observance of the Sabbath and adherence to personal ethics as means of bridging the gap between man and God.Weiss stated that another key aspect of Open Orthodoxy is the value of the Jewish people being one family. He explained, "The Jewish people is not to be segregated one from the other-of course there are distinctions, but we are part of the larger Jewish family." While Weiss acknowledged that the physical challenge for the Jewish people is protecting the state of Israel, he focused on the spiritual aspects of Judaism, claiming, "Our spiritual challenges as a people and as part of the larger universal world are far greater than the physical challenges." Weiss said that the spiritual challenge is that there is a need for religious leaders to create a spiritual congregation. Weiss listed the qualifications necessary to be an effective Jewish spiritual leader, identifying three main "necessary ingredients:" love of the Jewish people, love of giving and service to the community and a belief in oneself. Weiss also emphasized the call to service for young Jews, stating, "The center peace of [Judaism]-and this is what I want to bless you with-is serving." He said that he hopes everyone at the event could look back on their lives at the age of 120 and see the difference they made in the world.During his talk, Weiss promoted Yeshivat Chovevei Torah in New York, the yeshiva, or institute of Jewish learning, that he founded over 10 years ago. Weiss said he started the yeshiva because he worried Modern Orthodoxy was becoming closed-off to the rest of the world. "I was very, very concerned about the rightward drift of Modern Orthodoxy. I was very, very concerned it was becoming ensconced. It was becoming a system which was surrounded not so much like Abraham's tent-open to all sides," he said. Weiss also founded Yeshivat Maharat "in 2009 to be the first institution in Jewish history to train women to be fully integrated into the Orthodox community as spiritual leaders and halakhic authorities," said the organization's website. Students after the event expressed interest in the content of Weiss' lecture. Yael Marks '14 said, "He was really, really inspirational and took the feelings that I had and put them in words."Avi Fuld '14 added, "I thought the rabbi was a great speaker; he touched on a lot of really interesting points, and I think we should think about this. Orthodoxy is changing, and we need to decide where we want to go with it.
(10/05/10 4:00am)
Tzipi Livni, the current opposition leader of the Israeli Knesset and head of the Kadima party, addressed questions posed by students, faculty and other members of the Brandeis community yesterday in a town hall-style meeting. While the event, which was sponsored by the Schusterman Center for Israel Studies, was designed to discuss Israel-Diaspora relations, or relations between Israeli citizens and Jews who do not live in Israel, a wide range of issues pertinent to Israel were discussed, such as the role of American Jews in Israeli politics, the possibility of a peace agreement between the Israelis and Palestinians and the appropriate way to criticize Israel. According to Prof. Ilan Troen (NEJS), director of the Schusterman Center, about 450 members of the University community attended the event. With regard to Diaspora relations, Livni emphasized the need for an open dialogue among world Jewry and said that Israel should make a more concerted effort to consider the opinions of Jews who live in the Diaspora. Livni said that an open dialogue among world Jewry is necessary and that all Jews must work together to define Israel as a Jewish state and work toward a common vision. On the issue of criticizing the state of Israel, Livni asserted that it is possible to advocate in favor of Israel even if one doesn't agree with the policies of the Israeli government, emphasizing that criticism is not automatically delegitimization or denying Israel's right to exist. She pointed out that she is one of the most vocal critics of the Israeli government, yet she is not considered an enemy of Israel, and she said that American Jews can criticize Israel because "this is your government as well."However, Livni limited this statement, saying one must be careful when criticizing Israel. She said, "We need to take-all of us-into consideration that sometimes criticism is used by those who lead this process of delegitimization of the state of Israel." Heddy Ben-Atar '11, the student representative to the Board of Trustees and the former president of Brandeis Israel Public Affairs Committee, an American pro-Israel lobby, said in an interview with the Justice after the event, "I think that she really addressed one of the problems that we face on campus, which is that a lot of people misuse any kind of criticism of Israel and twist it to delegitimize the right of the state of Israel to exist as a sovereign state."When asked about opponents of Israel such as the vocally anti-Israel president of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Livni responded, "This ideology is not connected to the Israeli government policy, is not connected to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is extreme religious ideology." She continued to comment about those who do not believe the Jewish people should have a state of their own that "this is not criticism." She attributed this to anti-Semitism and extreme religious ideology. Livni also discussed her vision of a two-state solution, which she said she believes is essential to solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Livni emphasized that a deal with the Palestinians must be implemented and that "time is of the essence." Livni said that in an effort to achieve peace, she would give up territory that she believes is historically Jewish because it would be in the best interest of the Jewish people. In a meeting with student leaders prior to the event, Livni said of the peace process, "The price is very difficult for any Jew, and especially for an Israeli, but I believe that the price of not having an agreement is higher than the price of having an agreement." Livni acknowledged that a peace agreement would not include Hamas, the party that rules Gaza and is considered a terrorist organization by Israel, but said that a deal with Fatah will change the position of Hamas because it will portray the group as an explicit obstacle to the peace process and garner international support for Israel.Livni was asked if Kadima, the party she leads, will join Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's current government and form a new coalition. She said Netanyahu needs to make the decisions that are necessary in order to make peace, but he first must ask Kadima to join the coalition. She noted that after the Gaza flotilla incident last May, she told Netanyahu that he must change the current coalition completely and form a more centrist government if he is serious about peace. She also said that she will not be part of a government that is not willing to make peace because it would ruin both her national and international credibility. Additionally, Livni said that she supports any decision Netanyahu takes to relaunch negotiations.When asked by a student why there is a need for a Jewish state, Livni responded that Israel does not only provide a safe shelter for the Jewish people but also serves as a place for fostering a strong Jewish identity. Community members expressed excitement about Livni's event.Judah Marans '11 praised Livni and said, "Ms. Livni was able and willing to give thoughtful, honest answers,"and that is something that one does not often see in politicians."President-elect Frederick Lawrence noted, "Ultimately I found her presentation to be very optimistic and uplifting and it is inspiring to hear somebody who is optimistic and well-informed and a pragmatist all in one."-Jillian Wagner contributed reporting.
(09/28/10 4:00am)
Profs. Cathy Burack, Susan Lansperry and Thomas Piñeros Shields from the Center for Youth and Communities at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management released preliminary results of the study they conducted on the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation's Community College Transfer Initiative, a program that helps high-achieving, low-income students transfer from community college to the nation's best 4-year institutions. The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, a foundation aimed at helping exceptional students get the best education possible, released the results of a study titled "Partnerships that Promote Success: The Evaluation of the Community College Transfer Initiative," which highlights effective ways to identify high-achieving students and ease the transfer experience in order to promote social and academic success. In an interview with the Justice, Burack said that the study is a preliminary report. She said the final report, which will include additional interviews and surveys with faculty, administration and students from the eight universities that participated in the study will be released this December. CCTI assisted eight highly selective 4-year institutions from 2006 to 2010 in increasing their enrollment of high-achieving, underprivileged community college transfer students said the study. The eight institutions are Amherst College; Bucknell University; Cornell University; Mount Holyoke College; University of California, Berkeley; University of Michigan; The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; and University of Southern California. These institutions created relationships with community colleges and worked together to create the best transfer program possible, said Burack. According to the study, 889 new CCTI students matriculated to those eight schools since the program began in 2006. Burack said that the study focused on three factors of the initiative: the students' performances; the factors associated with the success of those students; and the institutional changes, such as increased support systems for the transfer students within the 4-year institutions. In evaluating the CCTI for this report, Burack explained that the team of Heller researchers looked at student record data-academic and financial aid-as well as surveys of transfer students conducted upon matriculation and then every spring thereafter.The study concluded that the CCTI benefited both the 4-year institutions and the transfer students both academically and socially. According to the report, "CCTI students have contributed to campus life by becoming deeply engaged on campus." For example, faculty on college campuses said that the transfer students enriched classroom discussions by bringing new insights and thoughtful questions. In addition, according to the study, numerous CCTI students were awarded scholarships and honors. Many of these students conducted research with faculty and took on leadership roles on campus. For example, one student was elected student body president. Burack said that the admissions offices of these institutions did not lower their standards when admitting the students from community colleges, but the transfer students were evaluated and went through the regular admissions processes of the institutions to which they transferred.Burack also noted the diversity of the eight different institutions across the spectrum, explaining that some are large state universities while others are small liberal arts schools. Burack said that the founders of the initiative aimed for such a range of schools intentionally so that no institutions could feel exempt from participating in a program of this nature. Burack mentioned that seven out of the eight institutions that received funding from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation are thinking about ways to continue the project at modified levels beyond this school year. However, she explained that the recent economic recession has had a negative impact on the institutions' abilities to continue the initiative and secure funding explained Burack. Brandeis, however, was not one of the 4-year institutions involved in the initiative. With regard to increasing enrollment of community college transfer students at Brandeis, Burack said, "I am hopeful that we can have this conversation here and open these doors."In an e-mail to the Justice, Director of Admissions Jennifer Walker said that although Brandeis does not have any specific partnerships with community colleges, the school does "admit transfer students from community colleges who have demonstrated that they can be successful in college level courses." Walker added that admissions counselors "attend community college transfer fairs around the country.
(09/07/10 4:00am)
Student Union President Daniel Acheampong '11 announced that his main objectives for the Student Union include involving students and working with the administration in the process of filling new roles on campus. He said he met with President-elect Frederick Lawrence and is working with the administration during the transition process. Student Union Secretary Herbie Rosen '12 reported that the Student Union will hold information sessions to better involve and inform first-years. Director of Communications Andrea Ortega '13 announced her mission to optimize the image of the Student Union. She wants to more effectively portray the goals and actions of the Student Union to the general student body. Ortega said she would work closely with the campus media outlets to achieve this goal. Ridgewood Senator Beau Bonness '11 and Nipun Marwaha '12 were confirmed as co-chairs of COW-G, the Campus Operation Working Group. They plan to expand the role of COW-G by encouraging students to actively report broken items around campus to COW-G. The Senate approved a new constitution for the Brandeis Aviation Club, previously named the Brandeis Flight Club.The new constitution will make it easier for the club to appropriate funds and increase student involvement in going on flights and taking part in other related activities on campus. The club said it will broaden its membership and is coordinating with Lawrence on a fly-by over the school.The Senate also approved a charter for the Tea Party. The stated purpose of the Tea Party is to bring dialogue and education to campus. Senator for the Class of 2012 Abby Kulawitz said some of her goals are to create leadership development sessions for new club leaders and to start language tables to help students studying foreign languages learn. The senators agreed to explore providing ice machines or other means of getting ice cubes to students. -Andrew Wingens
